Barometric draft regulator



Sept. 15, 1953 E. A. Flr-:LD l2,652,200

) BAROMETRIC DRAFT REGULATOR Filed Sept. 29, 1950 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 FROM FURNAC Kaya/@76% 3 Sheecs-Shee'l 2 Filed Sept. 29, 1950 INVENTOR.

fdd/afa l fik/0 mi //a/wfg Sept. 15, 1953 E. A. FIELD 2,652,200

BAROMETRIC DRAFT REGULATOR l Filed Sept. 29, 1950 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 IN VEN T 0R.'

portions. rShese knife edges pivotally engage at the bottom of V -shaped recesses in laterally projecting members i4 of bracket members i5 secured by means of bolts I5 to the outer sides of the ring fi as shown more clearly in Fig. 3. This provides means for pivotally supporting the gate within the ring or gate housing. The recesses c in the ring t receive the projecting ends of the angle member l2. The gate beneath knife edges I3 is provided with recesses il to receive therein the gate supporting members Ill, and the members l are provided with recesses i8 to receive therein edge portions of the gate. This construction prevents the gate from being lifted out of place.

Weights IS and 2! are attached to the gate by means of a screw or threaded rod ZI, as is old in the art. In addition, there is a disc 22 eccentrically attached by means of a screw 23 to the back side of the gate with the major portion of the disc disposed below the pivotal axis of the gate, as shown in dotted outline in Fig. 2. By means of these weights and the disc it is possible to bring the gate into essentially a static balance, though the center of gravity of the entire assembly is purposely located just a fraction of an inch below the pivot center line provided by the knife edges i3. This tends to urge the gate to a vertlcal closed position. A channel shaped member 2d is secured to the back of the gate to stiffen the same.

Vfeights 25 in the form of washers are supported on the horizontal inwardly bent portion 25 of the lever 2l. A cotter pin 23 retains the washers in position on the lever. The lever has a horizontally inwardly projecting portion 29 adjacent the upper end thereof providing a shaftlike member extending through rearwardly bent ears 3F) on the members 3l. These bearing members are bolted to one of the projecting ends of the knife edge member I2. The lever 21 at the inner end of the bearing portion 29 thereof is bent upwardly to provide an arm 32 disposed for engagement by the horizontal flange 33 extending along the upper edge of the angle member I2 when the gate is in closed position as sh-own in full lines in Fig. 5. The arm 32 is also engaged by the flange 33 when the lower portion of the gate opens inwardly during an updraft. The lever 2l is loosely supported in the bearing members 3l to freely swing therein.

To limit the swinging movement of the lever 22"! in the bearing members 3I, stops 34 and 35 are provided. These stops are formed by outwardly bent portions on the bracket member 36 which is secured to the outer side of the gate,

housing by means of the bolts -II which also secure one of pivot supporting brackets I5 to the gate housing. These stops are disposed in the path of movement of the horizontal arm 26 of the lever 2l, the stop 34 limiting downward movement of the lever and the stop limiting upward movement. The arm 32 of the lever being disposed in the path of movement of the flange 33 carried by the gate, the lever moves with the gate during inward movement of the lower portion of the gate caused by an updraft. This inward movement of both the gate and the lever is limited by engagement of the arm 26 of the lever with the stop 35. The gate has then opened inwardly through an angle of 65 from its closed position. The exact draft which the device maintains depends on the number of washers 25 on the lower end of the lever. The weights I9 and 2li are not changed after the unit leaves the factory.

In the event of a down draft, the lower part of the gate swings outwardly as shown in dotted outline in Fig. 5. The lever 21 and weights 25 then become inoperative in exerting a torque on the gate due to the arm 26 of the lever engaging the stop 34 and due to the flange 33 carried by the gate moving rearwardly away from the arm 32 of the lever. The only force which then tends to close the gate is the small force developed because the center of gravity of the gate assembly is located a minute distance below the pivotal axis of the gate.

A baiiie 3l located in the flue passage I adjacent the opening of the flue into the collar 2 may be used to facilitate pressure against the inner side of the gate when there is a down draft in the chimney iiue. The bafe is provided with a narrow edge portion SII bent to incline in the direction of travel of the gases from the furnace to the chimney and is provided with an ear 33 integral therewith and bent laterally thereof through which vbolts 39'pass for attachingthe baffle to the collar 2. .Tf no bafe is used in the flue pipe, it will be possible to operate at higher drafts at the outlet of the furnace or boiler, as may possibly be desirable in some cases with certain types of gas burners. The draft regulator, though, will not be as effective in diverting a downdraft. For such higher drafts, when no baille is used, the weights 25 are disposed at a greater angular distance from the vertical plane of the gate than the angular distance shown in Fig. 5. This may be readily effected by simply bending or twisting the lever 2l so that the weights i8 are disposed at greater angular distance from the vertical plane of the gate. The stops 3ft and 35 must also be disposed at a greater angular distance from the vertical plane of the gate. Another bracket may be substituted for the bracket 35 with its stops disposed at such greater angular distance. Since this construction involves no more than a mere change in iangular position of the weights 25 and stops 34 and 35 relative to the vertical plane of the gate, it is not shown.

rihe segment l previously described as improving the regulating ability of the control has another purpose. When a burner is rst lighted and the chimney is cool, there is a brief interval during which there is but little draft. The hot gases from the combustion chamber drift along the flue passage near the top of the passage, which sometimes tends to produce a tiny bit of pressure inside the draft control at the top,

though there may be a small vacuum down near the bottom. Because the top part of the ring is closed off by means of the segment I, there is less tendency for the gases to escape under pressure .into the room. After a very brief interval, draft is established in the chimney and the device begins to function as a normal draft regulator with the larger lower portion opening inwardly.

Referring to the embodiment of the invention Shown in Figs. 7 to l0 inclusive, 40 designates edges ofthe angle member adjacent the ends lthereof. The angle member is `bent laterally at ione `end to provide an arm 46 `.projecting .horizontally-therefrom when the gate is 1in aclosed horizontal 'position as shown in Fig. 7. A pin 41 .xedly secured to the end of 4this arm projects into .aligned openings 4d of square shape formed in the depending arms 49 of an inverted U- shaped member'` 5i) formed of sheet metal. The bight 5| of the loop or this member is Vrecessed at 52 and is `supportingly engaged by La bracket member t3 riveted to the sideo'i the gate housing. A. washer .54 constituting a weight is secured by means of bolt A55 between the lower ends of the arms 4B. Only one vwasher Ais shown but more ,may be vprovided depending upon the updraftzde- When the gate is closed, the pin VIl is disposed .in .the upper end of the openings 48 and tie member Eil with its weight 54 are supported on the bracket member 53.. `At this .time the gate is held `in a horizontal. position .by a system of weights corresponding to that above described for holding the gate :9 in a vertical `closed position. Thecenter of gravity of the entire gate assembly is located just `a fraction of an `inoh below the knife edges ofthe .angle member 44 so as to .hold to the gate in a normal horizontal closed position,

updrait in the .chimney flue causes the side of `the gate having the inwardly bent edge portion "56 to move upwardly into `the dotted line position show-n in 9. The pin 4l engaging the member il!) at the `upper end of the openings 4'81raises the member 5i! with the washer 54 from supporting engagement :with :the bracket 53. The sgate then `opens inwardly against the closing torque or themem'ber 5B and-washer 54. In the event of a 4downdraft `the pressure yon the inside voi the `gate being `greater than on theloutside, the gate opens outwardly thereby bypassing the downdraft to prevent :either extinguishment roi the flame of the burner or `improper combustion -oonditions During such outward movement of the gate, the pin vil moves downwardly in the openings 4t of the member and the member Ell and Washer 54 are supported entirely by the bracket 53, as shown in Fig. 8.

The controls of both embodiments above described are very sensitive in controlling the heater dra-it and in bypassing downdrafts. The

controls may be readily and economically produced, installed and adjusted and are high-lyeflicient throughout along life.

I have illustrated and described my invention :in embodiments which I have found very Ipractical. I have not attempted to illustrate or describe other embodiments or adaptations as it is believed this disclosure will enable those skilled inthe art to embody or adapt my invention as maybe desired.

Having thus described Amy invention what 'I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. In a draft regulator device, an open ended `gate housing, a pivotally mounted gate disposed in said housing for opening inwardly during an updraft and outwardly during a down draft, the pivotal vaxis oi the gate being horizontal, weighting `means on said gate, 'the center of gravity of the gate `and weighting means `being disposed vertically :below .the pivotal `axis tof `the` gate :to

effect a closing torquepon the ga-te, a .lever `pivotally supported Aintermediate Aits ends'on-said 'gate, the pivotal axis ofthe lever being horizontal, lone ofthe arms of the lever extending above said pivotal axis .of the lever and the other arm extending below said pivotal axis of .the 'ller/fer, a weight on the `lower arm, means on said gate disposed above said pivotal axis of the gate `or engaging the upper arm of the lever when the-gate opens inwardly due to an updrait, 'said lower arm and weight being disposed to move "inwardly and upwardly by engagement of said means rwith said `upper arm during such inward `opening movement of the gate, and a stop` supported-on said gate housing and disposed to engage said lower arm and support said arm and weight inwardly of the gate in slightly inclined relationtothe vertical plane of the gate when .the gate is -closed and opening outwardly due to a downdrait.

2. in a dra'it regulator devicepan open ended gate housing, a pivotally mounted gate disposed in said housing for Aopening inwardly during an updraft and outwardly during a downdrain the pivotal axis of the gate being horizontal, weighting means on said gate, the center of gravity of 'the gate and weighting means being disposed vertioally `below the pivotal axis o the gate to eect a closingtorque on the gate, a lever pivotally supported intermediateits ends on said gate, the Vpivotal axis ofthe lever being horizontal, one ci' 'the arms of the lever extending above the `axis of the "lever and the other arm extending below said axis, a weight on the lower arm, `and means on said gate vdisposed above the axis of the gate for engaging the upper arm of the lever when the gate opens inwardly due to an updraft, ysaid lower arm andweight being disposed to move inwardly and upwardly by engagement of said means with said upper arm during such inward opening movement ofthe gate.

:3. .in a draft regulator, an open ended gate housing, a Vpivotally mounted gate disposed in said housing for opening inwardly during an updraft and outwardly during a downdrait, the pivotal axis of the gate 'being approximately horizontal, weighting means on said gate, the center of gravity ofsaidgate and weighting means being disposed vertically below said pivotal axis to produce a ,closing torque on the gate, a lever piv- .otally supported on said gate, the pivotal axis of the lever being approximatelyhorizontal, a weight on said lever disposed below its pivotal axis, means on said gate disposed to engage said lever when the 'gate opens inwardly due to an updrait,

Asaid weight moving generally inwardly and upwardly by engagement of said means with said lever during such inwardly opening movement of the gate, and a stop supported by said gate housing and disposed to support said lever in inwardly inclined 4relation to the `vertical plane ofthe gate ,wl-ienthe vgate is closed and opening outwardly vdueto a downdraft.

otally sup-ported on `said gate, the pivotal axis of the lever being approximately horizontal, a

weight Aon :said :lever disposed below :its pivotal "axis, and means on said gate disposed to engage said lever when the gate opens inwardly due to an updraft, said weight moving generally inwardly and upwardly by engagement of said means with said lever during such inwardly opening movement of the gate to produce additional closing torque on the gate, said means on said gate being disengaged from said lever on outward movement of the gate due to a downdraft, whereby the gate opens outwardly against the closing torque only of said weighting means on said gate.

5. In a draft regulator, a gate housing, a pivotally mounted gate disposed in said housing for opening inwardly during an updraft and outward- 1y during a downdraft, a iirst means connected to said gate or producing a closing torque on the gate when opening either inwardly lor outwardly and a second means for producing additional closing torque on the gate only when the gate is opened inwardly, said second means being disposed to be operated by inward opening movement of the gate, said second means including la lever and a weight supported thereby.

6. In a draft regulator for heaters having a smoke nue, a gate housing for attachment to a side of the flue and constituting a passageway between the flue and the outside atmosphere, a pivotally mounted gate disposed in said housing for opening inwardly for passage of atmospheric air into the flue at the side thereof during an updraft and outwardly for passage of flue gases out of the flue at the side thereof during a downdraft, said gate being weighted to produce a closing torque on the gate when opening either inwardly or outwardly, and means for producing additional closing torque on the gate only when the gate is opened inwardly, said means including a weight disposed to be raised by inward opening movement of the gate.

7. In a draft regulator, a gate housing, a pivotally mounted gate disposed in said housing for opening inwardly during an updraft and outwardly during a downdraft, a first means for producing a closing torque cn the gate and a second means for producing closing torque on the gate only when the gate is opened inwardly, said second means being disposed to be operated by said gate when the gate is opened inwardly, said second means including a pivoted weighted member disposed for a swinging upward movement as the gate opens inwardly and means on said gate for swinging said member upwardly only during inward opening movement of the gate.

8. In a draft regulator for heaters having a smoke liuc, a gate housing for attachment to a side of the flue and constituting a passageway between the ue and the outside atmosphere, a pivotally mounted gate disposed in said housing for opening inwardly for passage of atmospheric air into the flue at the side thereof during an updraft and outwardly for passage of iiue gases out of the flue at the side thereof during a downdraft, said gate being weighted to produce a closing torque on the gate, and means for producing closing torque on the gate only when the gate is opened inwardly, said means being disposed to be operated by said gate when the gate is opened inwardly.

9. In combination, a smoke ilue, an open ended housing mounted on said flue and projecting laterally from one of the sides thereof, the inner end of the housing opening to the flue and the outer end opening to the atmosphere, a pivotally mounted gate disposed in said housing for opening inwardly for passage of atmospheric air into the nue at the side thereof during an updraft and outwardly for passage of flue gases out of the fiue at the side thereof during a downdraft, means associated with said gate for producing a closing torque on the gate when opened either inwardly or outwardly, said means including means operable by the gate during an opening movement thereof for rendering the closing torque on the gate greater during its inward opening movement than during its outward opening movement.

10. In combination, a smoke nue, an open ended housing mounted on said flue, the inner end of the housing opening to the ue and the outer end opening to the atmosphere, a pivotally mounted gate disposed in the outer end of the housing for opening inwardly during an updraft and outwardly during a downdraft, and a baiiie disposed in said smoke flue adjacent the inner end of said housing to deflect the gases passing through the ue into the housing and increase the pressure against the gate during a downdraft, the end portion of the baiie adjacent the housing being inclined in the direction fof passage of the gases from the combustion chamber to the chimney.

11. In combination, a smoke flue, an open ended housing mounted on said flue, the inner end of the housing opening to the nue and the outer end opening to the atmosphere, a pivotally mounted gate disposed in the outer end of the housing for opening inwardly during an updraft and outwardly during a downdraft, and a baiie disposed in said smoke nue adjacent the inner end of said housing to deect the gases passing through the flue into the housing and increase the pressureagainst the gate during a downdraft.

l2. In a draft regulator, an open ended control housing, a pivotally mounted gate disposed in said housing for opening inwardly during an updraft and outwardly during a downdraft, and means for producing a closing torque on the gate operative on inward opening movement of the gate, said means comprising an inverted U-shaped member of sheet metal having aligned openings in the depending legs thereof, a weight disposed between and supported by said legs beneath said openings, a bracket member mounted =on said housing for supportingly engaging said U-shaped member within the loop thereof when the gate opens outwardly, and an element operable by said gate and projecting into said openings, said element being disposed adjacent the top edges of said openings when the gate is closed, said elementbeing disposed relative to the pivotal axis of the gate tc raise the U-shaped member from supporting engagement with said bracket when the gate opens inwardly and -disposed to move downwardly in said openings to permit the U- shaped member to be supported on said bracket when the gate opens outwardly.

13. In a draft regulator, an open ended control housing, a pivotally mounted gate disposed in said housing' for opening inwardly during an updraft and outwardly during a downdraft, and means for producing a closing torque on the gate operative on inward opening movement of the gate, said means comprising an inverted U-shaped member having aligned openings in the depending legs thereof, a weight supported by said legs beneath said openings, a bracket member mounted on said housing for supportingly engaging said U-shaped member within the loop thereof when the gate opens outwardly, and an element operable by said gate and projecting into said openings, said element being disposed adjacent the top edges of said openings when the gate is closed, said element being disposed relative to the pivotal axis of the gate to raise the U-shaped member from supporting engagement with said bracket when the gate opens inwardlyand disposed to move downwardly in said openings to permit the U-shaped member to be supported on said bracket when the gate opens outwardly.

14. In a draft regulator, an open ended control housing, a pivotally mounted gate disposed in said housing for opening inwardly during an updraft and outwardly during a downdraft, and means for producing a closing torque on the gate when it opens inwardly comprising a Weighted member, a bracket mounted on said housing for supporting said weighted member when the gate opens outwardly, and an element operable by said gate and disposed relative to the pivoted axis of the gate to raise said Weighted element freni supporting engagement with the bracket when the gate moves inwardly.

15. In a draft control, an open ended housing, a pivotally mounted gate disposed at the outer end of said housing for opening and closing movements, and means for pivotally supporting said gate on said housing comprising an elongated plate-like strip secured to said gate and having end portions disposed adjacent opposite side edges of the gate, said end portions 30 having knife edges, and plate-like gate supporting members secured to the opposite sides of the housing and having depressed intermediate portions for supportingly receiving the knife edges of said strip, said gate supporting members having recesses in the portions thereof adjacent the edges of the gate to receive edge portions of the gate, said gate having recesses therein below the knife edges of the strip to receive the gate supporting members.

16. In a draft regulator, an open ended housing, a pivotally mounted gate disposed at the outer end of the housing for opening and closing movements, and means for pivotally supporting said gate on said housing comprising gate supporting members mounted on opposite sides of said housing and having depressed. intermediate portions, and means on said gate pivotally engaged in the depressed portions of said supporting members for swingingly supporting the gate, said supporting members having recesses in portions thereof adjacent the edges of the gate for receiving edge portions of the gate.

17. In a draft regulator, an open ended control housing and a pivotally mounted gate disposed in the housing for opening inwardly during an updraft and outwardly during a downdraft, said gate having an outer swinging edge portion inclined inwardly to deflect the gases passing thereby during a downdraft to more widely open the gate and allow a greater volume of gases to escape.

EDWARD A. FIELD.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 184,061 Butman Nov. 7, 1876 1,266,130 Kimbler May 14, 1918 1,553,848 Chenicek Sept. 15, 1925 1,783,418 Field et al Dec. .2, 1930 2,254,505 Walker Sept. 2, 1941 2,346,559 Crew Apr. 11, 1944 2,405,770 Walker Aug. 13, 1946 2,433,749 Field, Jr. Dec. 30, 1947 2,460,538 Schneider Feb. 1, 1949 2,460,960 Wilson Feb. 8, 1949 2,487,856 Cunningham Nov. l5, 1949 2,540,191 Eakin Feb. 6, 1951 

